RMS tries to balance truck stop safety needs

The Quaama rest area moratorium has highlighted competing safety concerns – fatigue for truck drivers and questionable siting and feared impact on the New South Wales south coast hamlet’s community.

While locals are reportedly believe the idea must be rejected fully and will continue to resist until it is, the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) says it is trying to balance needs.

"The rest area was proposed at Christophers Road as part of the heavy vehicle safety productivity program in compliance with National Transport Commission’s (NTC) Guidelines to provide major heavy vehicle rest areas within a maximum of 120 kilometres on key rural freight routes," RMS says.

"The locations of the rest areas aim to help heavy vehicle drivers better manage their fatigue, making the roads safer for all road users."

Locals have raised worries that the positioning of the proposed heavy vehicle rest area (HVRA) at the intersection of the Princes Highway and Christopher’s Road is a safety and noise risk.

"Community concerns have been addressed with RMS about its location and impacts the HVRA may have on the community, particularly to nearby residents," Project Services Manager Andrew Destry has told residents.

"After careful consideration, RMS will place a 12 month moratorium on the construction of the HVRA at this location. No construction will take place on this HVRA for at least a 12 month period.

Over the next 12 months, RMS will monitor the use, noise impacts and behaviour of drivers at other HVRA’s on the Princes Highway.

"This will assist RMS to address the issues raised by community members.